A Chief of Two Cities

HILDALE/COLORADO CITY – Chief Marshal Mark Askerlund was sworn in at the Colorado City, Arizona Town Council meeting 11 June 2018. Chief Askerlund will again swear in as Hildale, Utah’s Chief Marshal on 13 June 2018. Policing the border towns requires officers of all ranks to obtain certification in both Arizona and Utah, though the Marshals are headquartered in Colorado City.

Photo by Eric Velander

A 33-year veteran of Utah policing, Chief Askerlund came out of retirement to make changes in the twin cities’ Marshal’s Office. Askerlund had to say about his three-year Short Creek assignment:

“My overall goal is to take the department forward, and to quote [Colorado City] Mayor Joseph Allred, ‘Push the reset button.’ We start over. We just move forward, from here on, and we put the past behind us, and go out and police the community to the best of our abilities.”

Chief Askerlund also expressed interest in broadening police involvement in the community by assigning resource officers to schools and obtaining K9 certification.

“Moving forward, I’d like to take the core group of officers that we have and provide them training, chances to improve their skills, and to improve themselves as police officers.”

Chief Askerlund’s stated personal goal is to “leave the department better than I found it.” He went on to say, “With proper leadership, proper training, and proper access to those tools we need, I believe we can become one of the best police departments in the state.”

Citizens of Short Creek can expect changes to policing under Chief Askerlund, starting with uniform markings on patrol vehicles and three new patrol officers from within the community. Additionally, Chief Askerlund is interested in hiring an experienced sergeant to assist with administrative and leadership needs.